What is the term used to describe the slowing down of an object?

Deceleration is the term specifically used to describe the slowing down of an object. It refers to a decrease in speed or velocity over time. In physics, when an object experiences negative acceleration — which occurs when its speed decreases — this is defined as deceleration.

The term helps distinguish between acceleration in general, which can refer to an increase or decrease in speed, and the specific situation where an object is losing speed. Understanding deceleration is important in various fields, including emergency medical services, where recognizing the dynamics of movement can be crucial for assessing vehicle accidents and controlling the transport of patients safely.

While the other terms mentioned might describe related concepts, they do not accurately depict the concept of slowing down as specifically as deceleration does.